Airway contractile responses to substance P (SP) were examined in isolated adult rabbit bronchial (BSM) and tracheal smooth muscle (TSM) segments. The tissues were placed in organ baths containing modified Krebs-Ringer solution, and isometric contractions to SP were monitored in the presence of phosphoramidon, an inhibitor of neutral endopeptidase (NEP). Under these conditions, BSM segments were significantly more reactive and more sensitive to SP than TSM segments. Removal of SPs cholinergic component with atropine (ATP) eliminated these regional differences in reactivity without affecting sensitivity. In considering the basis for these observations, it has been suggested that SP activates up to three different neurokinin (NK) subset receptors. Accordingly, we examined the regional airway contractile responses to Senktide, a selective NK-3 receptor agonist, and Septide, a selective NK-1 receptor agonist. In the presence of ATR, Senktide was inactive in both BSM and TSM, whereas Septide produced significantly greater contractions in BSM than in TSM. Subsequent desensitization of NK-1 receptors with Septide virtually eliminated the regional differences in airway sensitivity to SP. These findings indicate that 1) endogenous NEP activity can mask significant regional airway differences in SP-mediated contraction; and 2) these latter differences are the result of cholinergic, NK-1, and NK-2 receptor influences.